October 17th.

I called my old friends.

Asked them questions and all that.

But they got nothing, nothing for me to figure this out.

They only said that they missed me, and wish me well..

So my thoughs about the situation was that I needed more ways to get people.

The idea of this plan, was that I have to get to talk with the mayor. Face to face..

Learn few things, make contact, leave things as they are and that's it.

But how the hell will I get to do that..

I wander at night in the streets of Big City and venture in the Wolf's Den.

Took a back seat in a corner, relax and pick my pocket book.

This book was about the philosophy of the samurai.

It kinda helped me to disconnect from my rusty mind.

When suddenly, someone walk in the bar.

It's was a woman with black hair, slightly gothic but not too much.

She orders a drink, a margarita.

And then walk in the bar, she crossed my eyes and she looked so serious.

Passing me, she take the seat from behind my back.

I try to ignore what I just saw and kept reading..

The goth.

October 18th

My hands pick the phone on the wall in my new apartment.

I decided to call Alice. Felt like it was time to try to speak to her again.

The line connect and it rings.

Then her voice says. "Hello..?"

"Hey, it's me.." I just say.

"John..?" She asks.

"Yeah.. Sorry I might-"

She interrupt me to say "I am so happy that you called me!"

"Who are you talking to?" Says male voice in the phone.

"It's my dad.." She reply to him.

"Want me to hang up..?" I asks.

"No!" She almost yell.

"Ok, then what.." I said.

I hear her walking away from a crowd and she closes a door.

"John, can you come pick me up?" She ask out of the blue.

I take two seconds and just answer "Yes."

"Ok, I am at the Dancing Ghost Bar. Please hurry its boring here.." She says.

"I will be there at the entrance." I reply and hang up.

I drive for 20 minutes, then arrive at the bar.

My hand open the door and I get out. I look around and see her looking for me.

"Alice!" I exclaim and she notice me smiling at the sight of me.

She runs to me and hug me.

"Lets get out of here, please.." She said pressing herself in my chest.

I tap her back gently and say "Sure."

Then a man get out of the bar and look at us.

"Hey, you! Alice!" He yells.

"Lets go John." She says.

I nod, but look at the man.

He is around 30 years old, have a bad looking beard and wears a black leather jacket.

"You there! Who are you?!" He yells in frustration.

"I am her dad.." I tell him.

"Fuck you! Get your hands off her now!" He keeps yelling.

"You are drunk Carl!" Says Alice to him.

"So what!? Does that make any change at all?" He exclaim.

"Lets go daddy." Says Alice to me and she hold my hand as we start walking away.

"Please fucking stay with me!" He yells in our back.

I open the door for the passager seat for her and she enter inside.

"You have made a big mistake Alice!" Yells the guy named Carl.

I look at him as I shut the door, and walk to his direction.

He stand there, shaking.

"Look, if you keep this up. You will get in trouble." I tell him as I look in his eyes.

"Who the fuck you think you are!" He says all angry.

I walk near face to face to him, I am way taller and he look small compared to me.

"I won't tell you this twice." I threatened him literally.

He look at me, and then he nods feeling defeated.

"Go home, you will be fine." I suggest him.

Then I walk away, and enter inside of my car.

"Thank you john." Says Alice and she caress my hair.

"Welcome.." I simply replied.

And we left this place with him being all alone in the street.

After driving to my apartment, and talking about how much we missed each other and why this guy was even with her.

We kissed..

"Sorry, he just asked me to talk in this stupid bar and.." Says Alice feeling all in guilt. But I didn't cared much.

I kissed her again, and she kissed back.

We went in the living room, sit on the couch.. Just to have our moment again..

It felt.. Okay.

I didn't asked anymore questions and we fell asleep in each other arms.

The next morning, she was brewing coffee..

I stand up and go to Alice.

Hug her from behind and kiss her neck.

She bump her ass on my crotch and said.

"You are already awake..?"

Imove my hands around her butt and grab them tenderly without saying anything.

"I made some coffee." She says and turn around to look at me in the eye.

She hop on the counter and keep eye contact.

"What you want to do today?" I asks and I kiss her again.

"Mmmh.. Lets eat breakfast first.." She says after the kiss.

I fondle my hands on her back and she let a moan come out.

She move her chest up as my lips kiss her neck some more and she place her legs around me.

After this moment of pure intimacy, we eat the breakfast..

We go on the couch and she put her legs on my lap.

We talk about mundane things, like what I like and what she loves.

Then I tell her about my job when she asks what I do in life.

"I am a detective." I said all happy.

"Oh, you shoot the bad guys." She says and point her index and do a little "Pew, pew!"

I toss her hand that was pointing my face and say. "Not exactly.."

Then she do it again to annoy me.

"Pew, pew, pew!"

I smile and let her do it anyway.

"You don't kill bad people?" She says curious about my answer.

"I arrest most of them.." I reply.

"Oh, almost?" She says and chuckles.

I rise an eye brown and look at her.

"Pew, pew pew!" She does again.

"So tell me about your life Alice." I said.

"Mmmh.. What you want to know?" She asks.

"Well you have a family?" I said while looking at her.

"I have a little brother.." She answer and look more serious.

"How is he?"

"He's smart for his age.. He is 7." She says.

"And the rest of your family?" I asked.

She look down and then she said.

"They are dead.."

I nod and after thinking for few seconds I asks.

"How did they died..?"

"They went to a vacation.. The plane crashed.." She said.

I keep listening to her.

"I was 22 years old back then.. It's been 5 years now..."

She looks at me with a deep feeling of sadness.

"I am sorry.." I said.

"It's alright.. Life goes on John." She reply with some honesty in her voice.

She pass her hand through my hair and caress it gently.

"And you.. Who you have lost in your life?" She asks me.

I show her my pendant with the two alliances on it.

"My wife.." I try to tell it but I stop. Thinking about all my past for an instant.

"Mmmh.. You still have her in your mind.." She says.

"Yeah.." I said and put back my pendant under my shirt.

A moment pass and we look outside without saying anything.

"So.. I guess we are closer now.." She says breaking the silence.

"Mmmh.. I guess too." I tell her.

"We aren't dating yet.. Just to let you know." She reply.

"What, you see somebody else..?" I asks.

"Not exactly.." She says and sigh.

"Then what..?" I asks.

"Well.. John. It was a pleasure to be here with you." She said.

She stand up and walk to get her small boots.

"We are ending this like that.." I said.

"Wait.. It's just that I have to go pick my brother to the babysitter." She says.

"Oh.. And when we will get more time together?" I asks.

"I don't know.. I will call." She said.

She finish to put her boots on and get her little coat and leave by closing the door.

From that moment. I felt like it wasn't a relationship I was ready for.

October 19th.

I went to the Wolf's Den again.

Pick my favorite drink, a whiskey with ice and sit down on the same seat like everytime I get in here.

Few hours pass, the television show the sports. But I didn't cared much of it.

I read some pages of my pocket book and realise that it's 5 PM now..

Then the woman from last time enter in the bar, she looks beautiful.

As she move her head, her hair cascade in the air and she look at my direction in a slight instant.

Then she order a margarita and go sit behind my back, again.

I try to focus on reading my boring book that talk about the way of the samurai and try to forget about her..

October 19th.

Gone to work that day. Made few conversations with the other officers.

Worked on a case that was about the murder of a man made in cold blood by a psychopath.

This one was even a cannibal..

Anyway, after that day.

I went to my apartment and stay there.

Looking at the rain through the big window, sitting on the couch and drinking my whiskey.

I was waiting for Alice to call me, but I though. Maybe I should move on and do my own thing.

Even though, I liked what we had together.

It was sweet..

But waiting wasn't my cup of tea.

I watch the time, it is 9 PM..

My doubts told me she will never call me.

So I get out of my apartment and drive to some random place.

Explore the Big City and go to a drive thru fast food.

"Welcome to Billy's Burgers! What can I order you mister?" Says a young lady through the speaker.

"I want some chicken nuggets, fries and.." I look on the menu and see a teddy toy figurine that looks cute.

"And mister?" She says.

"Oh, and a beer.." I say.

"We don't have beer mister.." She reply.

"I mean root beer." I said.

"Oh, yes.. Sorry. We have that." She said and after that I get my food.

"Thank you." I said to her.

"Welcome mister!" She said and she close the window.

I drive around the city to find a good spot.

Stop at a forest park and try to relax there while eating.

I think, try to figure my future alone.

Was Alice worth the trouble..

Will it make me feel better if I am in her life..

Or will it be a complete waste of my time..?

I though.. Maybe being single wasn't so bad.

But. She made me feel good..

Before I eat the last bite, I understood now that she wasn't ready to get in a relationship..

She told me herself..

I eat the only nugget left and start my car.

Then I go around, and notice a bar named Midnight Stars.

And I just get there. I open the door and the place is all full of people talking, a smooth music playing and

some pretty girls are there to get something..

My eyes open wide when I saw that one.

A beautiful blonde woman is sitting at the corner of the counter.

She looks like a model. Every man in the bar were staring at her.. But she wasn't happy at all of that fact.

Even though, she was wearing something that says otherwise.

She drink her wine, not giving any eye contact to anyone..

I was curious of this sort of woman.

And, as I expected.

Some guy come to her.

"Hey pretty lady, want to get home?" He says and she already respond with.

"Get lost."

She don't even look at him.

But the guy keep insisting.

"It will be fun, I swear."

He put his hand on her shoulder and look at him furiously.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" She yells.

Everyone stop talking and the guy remove his hand on her.

I get closer and tell the man to go obviously.

"Just let her be." I said to him.

"Yo, fuck you!" He said to me and point at the beauty to say.

"She is a fucking trash bag!"

"More like you are the trash in here.." She reply.

"Get out of there.. It's not worth it." I tell him.

"You gonna be on her side?" He said.

"No, she just don't want you.." I tell him.

"Fuck you." He says and throw a punch at me.

I counter attack him by moving slightly to the side and kick his butt.

He drop on the ground head first, and stay there for a minute.

The guard saw it all, but only pick him up.

They nod to me and go without bothering about it too much.

I turn my eyes to where the blonde was and she is right next to my face.

"Who are you?" She says.

I look at her and just say.

"Sorry, I have to go.."

And I turn to attempt to walk away.

But she grab my hand and tell me.

"No. You, you stay."

I look at her as I turn around and she still hold on my hand.

"You own me a drink." She said.

"Huh.. A what?" I question her.

"Get your butt here." She orders and we sit there.

Everyone return to their affairs and we drink some wine.

I wasn't a fan of it, but anyway..

She ask me out of the blue.

"Are you some kind of bodyguard, or what?"

"No.. I am a detective." I reply.

"Detective? Are you like some kind of hero coming from a film noir?" She asks.

And I didn't know what to answer about that..

"You look different, and I mean WAY different then the rest of this people." She exclaims.

"I just mind my own business.." I said.

"Yeah, right. Like just when you stopped that dude from hitting on me." She said.

"I figure you would have prefer him to be at my place, is that fine?" I replied.

"Ain't no way I want that guy next to me!" She almost yell.

"Mmmh.. So.. Why do I own you a drink?" I asked.

"Because I choose to." She smiles and look at me.

"I don't think it's really the rule.." I said.

"Oh, you sure respect the rules huh?" She says.

"No.. But some are okay by me.." I tell her.

"You sound like a really interesting guy.." She says and after that.

We went to my home.

Took few hours together and it was fun.

The blonde woman.

October 20th.

I wake up with a kiss on my lips.

She was still there, in my arms and wanting more.

But I was so tired..

I let her do whatever she wanted with me.

Then after that, her phone rings..

She answer it quickly.

"Hello..?"

"Where are you Grace!? We are panicking in here!" Yells the man in the phone.

"Fuck you dad! I am an adult!" She exclaims.

"We have work to do! The filming crew is there!" He yells.

"I am 25 years old! Look I never wanted to be a star like you begged me to!" She yells back.

"You need to come back, right now!" He keep yelling in the phone.

And she hang up.

"What was that all about..?" I asks.

"Nothing.. Just a weirdo.." She says.

"Mmmh.. What kind of weirdo?" I said.

"The kind of weirdo that just want to mess with my life forever.." She says and look at me all serious.

"Grace, right?" I said.

"Yeah, sorry about not telling you my name.." She said.

"Did you even asked mine..?" I reply.

"No.. But now that you mention it.." She says and sigh.

"I am John.." I tell her and she get closer to me and smile then kiss me again.

"And what is your last name detective?" She says.

"Colts." I replied.

"John Colts..? Mmmh.. It seem to come from for a western." She says politely.

"Is that so.. And what is your name?" I asks.

She take a moment before she answer and then..

"Grace King.." She says all nervous.

"Mmmh.. Never heard of that one.." I said with honesty.

"Oh, thank god." She says with a sigh of relief.

"Why you look so nervous?" I asks.

"Nothing, really." She says and look away.

"Okay.."

She then told me she was doing movies for her father, she just started 3 years ago. But she never wanted to do that sort

of things. What she really wanted though..

"I just want to go on a vacation on the sea and be free from everything.." She said.

"Same.." I replied.

"Well.. I guess that's a good thing.." She says.

Then her phone rings again and she tell me.

"Alright, I need to go."

"Want me to drive you there?" I asked.

"I really appreciate your kindness.. But I have to refuse." She says.

"Okay.."

She take a piece of paper and write on it.

"Here, call me around 10 PM.." She says and hand me the number.

And then she left..

October 21th.

Soon I started to realise that life wasn't so bad after all.

My mind was clearer and way out of the darkness, now that I enjoyed some time..

But then I received a call from the chief, asking me to investigate on a crime scene.

I go in that place, it was in the forest near Big City.

And as expected, the dead body was the one of a woman.

20 years old, blonde, throat cut open, her white dress full of her own blood and she was looking sad..

Her eyes was still looking in shock, so I respectfully close them.

"Who found her?" I asks the officer next to me.

"The forest ranger sir." He said.

"Can you tell me approximately when she died coroner..?" I ask him.

"Her skin is turning pale this much.. Mmmh.. She died around 10 hours ago."

"So it was recent.." I said and check my watch.

It's 8 AM.. So she got killed at 2 AM..

I look around to see if there was anything in display.

Then I found the knife covered in blood under a bush.

I put it in a plastic bag, and after that I check the hands of the victim.

"She was fighting back.. There is skin tissues under her finger nails."

The coroner take a moment to put the tissues in a bottle and tells me that he will analyse it.

"This killer must have some marks the skin.." I keep looking the dead body and notice something.

She had no underwear..

"I think he rape her.. Maybe post-mortem.."

"Yes, I can confirm." Says the coroner.

"Ok, I am waiting for your analyse coroner." I said and after that I went to the police station to make my report.

I took few moment to write down everything and then a woman with brown hair and wearing glasses knock at my door.

"Hello?" I said as I open the door.

"Sorry, are you John?" She said.

"I guess so.." I reply and finish writing my report.

"I am a journalist.. I heard you were a friend of Garry and I though maybe you could hand me some help." She said.

"I don't know any Garry.." I lied.

"Come on.." She insist.

Then I look at her and she smiles.

"You want what in particular?" I asks.

"How about a coffee and we talk this out?" She reply.

"Sure.." I agree.

We went to a coffee shop next to the police station.

While walking there I ask her name.

"Amy Reed." She reply.

We enter in there, order two coffee and sit next to a great window.

"What make you think I would be interesting to talk with?" I asks.

"Well, I know that you are a good friend of my grandfather." She says.

I rise an eye brown and said "You mean..?"

"Garry is my grandfather, mister." She reply confidently.

"MMmmh.. That never came to me he had a family of his own.." I said.

"Maybe, because he never adress it to anyone." She said.

"So.. What do you want to know?" I tell her.

"Well. I am just curious about your share of history with my grandfather.. And.." She pause.

"And?" I ask.

"Is he still alive?" She ask me.

I nod and she smile to that revelation.

"I knew it.." She says and pick something in her handbag.

Then she show me a photo of him and her when they were very young.

"This is the only one photo I have of him." She tells me.

"You want to see him again?" I asks.

"Yeah.." She said.

I tell her something about him, how we met in the past, what time we went through and end it with the fact he was running

away from people.

"Mmmh.. I guess it's better that way.." She said with a sad tone.

Then she give me her number and said.

"Call me once and awhile.."

I take the number and nod.

We split after that shortly and when I get to walk in the street.

I see Grace King.

She run to me and give me a big hug.

"Hum.. Hello?" I said to her.

"I miss you so much!" She yells.

"Huh.. I am in a hurry right now.." I tell her.

She don't let go of me and press herself on me.

I tap her back and try to stay calm.

"Can we go to your place?" She says.

"No, I have a case to work with.." I tell her.

"No, we go there." She says and give me a stare that say it all.

I sigh and nod.

Then we go to my apartment with my car..

Amy Reed 19 years old.

Journalist.

October 22th.

It's morning. Grace sleep peacefully on me when I wake up, I felt like all this was a little forced to me.

She completely dry me.. In my energy I mean.

..Anyway I slip out of her hug and she stay there sleeping on my bed, she grab the pillow and kiss it.

I got check my phone, and hear my messages.

"John, I just analysed the DNA. Your man is a 28 years old named Sam Krimson. He live in the north of

Big City and doesn't work anyehere. His adress is 300th Cromwell avenue. Where are you?"

*Beep*

I guess I should go..

In my back Grace just wake up and tell me.

"Where you going..?"

I put on my pants and reply.

"To go to work."

"Can I come?" She ask.

"No.." I said, put my shirt on and my gun holster around my arms.

"You are going to arrest somebody?"

"I'll be back later.." I said and left her there.

I arrive at one of the many part of the city that have lost faith in humanity.

The dump, as we call it.

A place where the people there are nothing near as been good, and it smells like trash left for years.

When I get in there, at 300th Cromwell avenue.

Few police officer follow me in the back, and I park my car in front of the apartment of the killer.

Some officers stay there and other follow me.

I walk on the stairs and knock at the door of Sam Krimson.

But the door open up, and I get in.

The cold wind slip through a window and I tell the officers that he went away.

We put on a wanted search in the city.

And I check around inside the apartment of this guy.

I open a closet, flies fly away and the smell of a dead body get to my nose.

An old woman, close to 50 years old.

Gray and being eaten by maggots.

She was killed for a long time ago.

Then an officer come to me and show me his diary.

This Sam, he was doing this for a quite a long time.

Here is what I read about.

"I finaly met my soul mate, but she wasn't happy to see me. So I cut her throat and fuck her body.

IT was so good! I was just about to come close to it when a guy was looking around and I toss

the knife away. Damn, I wish she was transportable.."

Then I read this part.

"I think this was a little too much, I feel bad.. Wait is there anyone coming here? Oh yeah, my mother's

friend was supposed to come today.. Well too bad, I killed her when she kept asking what I was doing.."

I turn the pages and found the underwear of the dead blonde inside.

There was a note there.

" I will go hide somewhere in The White Forest. I feel that somebody is watching me.."

I tell the officers that he must be in that forest, then put the diary as an evidence.

Later, I get back to my home.

Grace is there, looking worried.

"Did you caught him?" She asks.

"No.." I said a little disappointed.

"What you are going to do?" She said.

"I am going to wait. The man is wanted now." I said and put my things to their place.

We sleep together that night, again.

Then the next day, Grace left me with a kiss on the nose and I was still in bed.

October 23.

I turn on the television and watch the news.

"Today we are informing you that Sam Krimson is wanted for murder. The police is searching him in The White Forest,

yes where our famous ancient castle is. People are asked to not come near that place.."

I change channel and watch the meteo.

"October 23, today it's going to be 14 degrees, some rain at the evening.. Tomorrow is going to be cloudy.."

Then I close the TV and prepare to go out.

I receive a call from the chief.

"John, are you coming to arrest Sam Krimson with us?"

"Yes, I am on my way." I tell him and hang up.

And I walk out of the apartment.

I drive to The White Forest, everyone is here. Even the reporter from the television.

I ignore them all and pass through the yellow tape.

"What is going on?" I ask the chief.

"Suicide.." He simply answer.

"The killer commited suicide?" I asks.

The chief nods and I go in the forest to see the dead body of Sam Krimson hanging with a rope on a tree.

"One way to go.." I said.

"This guy was losing it.." Says the chief.

"Well we can't arrest a dead guy.." I said.

I light a cigarette and look at Sam's corpse moving around by the wind.

"Should we leave him here?" I asks.

"We will get his body soon, you can leave." Says the chief.

And I go back home.

The evening of october 23..

As the rain fall on Big City and I stay there alone. Looking at the view of the world up in the building.

I have started to like being by myself now, feeling comfort in the small things.

Then, the phone rings.

And I answer it.

"Hello?"

"John..?" Says a familiar female voice in the phone.

"Who's this?" I asks.

"It's me.. Alice." She says.

"Mmmh.." I simply replied.

"You already forget, don't you?" She says with a sarcastic tone.

"It might be my old age.. You know.." I reply.

"Stop it.. I just want to know how are you?" She asks almost laughing.

I look at the rain outside, put my hand on the wall and think what to say to this lady.

"Is it too bad we didn't seen each other for this long?" She ask me now.

"Well.. If you put it that way.." I said briefly.

"Come on.. It's not like we are far from being good friends.." She says.

I don't even say a word and wait for her to say more.

"I think we have alot in common you know.. I.. Took time to rethink what happened between us." She said.

My ear on the phone, I light a cigarette and smoke it while she keep going.

"We had so much fun, dancing and fucking.. I doubt we can let that slip without a great come back.." She said frankly.

Even with that phrase I let her say more.

"What will I do without you now? Would you like me to come again..?" She keep saying.

Then I say in a short moment of pure realisation.

"I will wait for your next call."

And hang the phone down.

I wait for few minutes, with only the rain falling and the thunder striking in the distance.

Then the phone rings again, and I answer it.

I put it next to my ear and listen.

"Okay, okay.. I admit.. I wasn't nice with you.." She says.

"I want to take a moment alone Alice." I tell her.

"Is that right..?" She ask.

"I am a bit tired from work and want to just relax.." I said.

"Let me help you.." She suggest.

"No, I need some time for myself.." I keep telling her.

I hear her sigh in the phone and then she says.

"Well.. I don't know what to say John.." She reply.

Then I finally tell her what I wanted to say for awhile.

"Okay, but if you come back.. You will have to promise me a thing."

"Alright, I can do that." She says.

"Wait, you didn't hear me yet.." I said.

"I am coming now." She tell me and hang up.

I waited there..

Next to the window and wonder about what will come to me now.

Another problem, or another moment of pure pleasure?

Or both..

I wasn't lying to her when I said that I was tired..

And before I could think too deep in the subject, a little knock knock could be heard on the door entrance.

My hand grip on the door knob and I open it.

She was there, wearing a long shirt with a rain coat and her hair was black.

Her smile was splendid.

"Hey.." She says softly and get close to kiss me.

I let her do so.

Then she enter and I close the door. She remove her coat and put it on a hook next to my door.

And she kiss me again. I grab her and lift her up, she get her legs around me..

We go in my bedroom that night and it was sweet.

October 24.

The day went perfectly okay..

Then Alice decided to bring me to her place.

We get in my car, drive to her apartment.

It was near the bad side of the city..

I was feeling a bit strange, but I kept driving.

When we arrived there, I just look around and felt like it wasn't a good street to live by.

As Alice called me to follow her, I did and we went in her place.

The door open and a pitbull barks.

"Easy Barry, he is a friend." She says to him and he look at her then me. Then he comes to me to sniff me up.

And I pet his head.

"You both will become friends fast, I am sure." Alice said.

"Ali, where were you?" Says a young boy voice.

I look in front of me and see the brother of Alice.

He wear glasses, have dark brown hair, not very big or tall..

A typical kid.

"Who's that old guy?" He asks.

"Kevin! Be nice to our guest." Said his sister.

Then a woman with green short hair, around Alice age walk in the entrance and say.

"Thank god you are here.."

"Sorry Becky.. It took awhile.." Says Alice.

She give money to Becky, 200 cash to be exact.. And she left us all like this by closing the door.

A moment of complete silence goes on and Alice break it by saying.

"Pizza?"

"Yeahh!" Exclaims Kevin and Alice look at me.

"You are going to stay now, right?" She asks.

And I nodded.

This night was good, with Alice and the kid.

We eat pizza and after a moment.

Kevin asks me what is my job.

I tell him that I am a cop, a detective to be more precise.

"Oh, so you arrest people who are doing crimes for real?" He asks.

"Yeah.." I said and eat my slice of pizza calmly waiting for more questions.

He asks me like what I do when I found a criminal, Alice point her finger like a gun and pretend to shoot.

My eyes roll and Kevin say to her to stop it.

"Well, when I have the evidence. I arrest people and lock them out of here." I replied.

"Do you have a gun on you?" He then ask.

I nod and said "Always."

"Can I see it." He ask with clarity in his little voice.

I nod again and pick my beretta.

"Wow it's the real thing.." He says.

Then I put it back in the holster.

Alice grin at me and said. "You have more guns in your home, right?"

"Why you want to know that Ali?" Asks Kevin.

"I am just curious too." She says.

"Well, lets move on to another subject." I say and eat my pizza.

After we talk about mundane things, like where Kevin go to school and what he do in his free time.

Alice turn on the TV to put it on a channel I never watch.

The show is called Angels Don't Cry, a romantic music start playing and Alice is happy

that it is starting.

Kevin complain "Why you like this show, it's boring.."

"Shut up Kevin, its better than your stupid Jack River spy show."

"At least it make alot of sense then this thing." Says Kevin as he look at me.

Here we got it, a brother and sister at their true nature.

One like something and the other one doesn't.

The show plays in the background while me and my new friend talk a bit more.

"So, cop." He start saying.

"Call me John."

"Ok John. So you have many reasons to get here isn't it?" He said.

"Not really, Ali wanted me to visit her place." I tell him with honesty.

"What is you connection with my sister?" He ask so clearly, it's fascinating.

"We are friends." I said, but my voice was a little unclear.

"I doubt that would be true.." He reply fast.

"What is your theory?" I ask with a smile.

"Mmh.. You see, my sister doesn't have much friends here. To begin with that.." He reply.

"You are smart, but continue.." I tell him.

"My sister never bring guys here.. Except.." Says Kevin a bit nervous.

"Except what."

"When she have to pay back the debt." He confess me.

The debt? Alice have a debt in this kind of place..? What would it be..

"What kind of debt.." I asks him.

Then Alice walk in the dinning room and grab my hand and ask me to come watch TV.

"John, come." She says.

"Later John." Says the kid and I go with Alice.

We sit on the couch and Alice cuddle me while the show is going..

"Lisa, why you don't smile to me?"

"Because I hate you.."

Alice wanted me to sleep in her bedroom, but I refused.

The kid was sleeping in his bed.

She insisted, but I told her that it's better that way.

When all the lights went off, and 1 hour passed.

Knocks come from the door entrance.

Alice get there, open slightly the door and talk in a whisper.

"Here is 1000 cash.."

"Can we enter.." Said a man.

"No." She reply and close the door.

She walk close to me and said.

"Good night."

October 25.

I wake up with my back hurting, that couch wasn't really comfortable.

It's 6:23 AM on my watch.

Nobody is awake.

I look at the window next to me and see that it's not raining anymore.

My first though was about Alice, what she went through to get in this debt..

And what could be done about it..

I figure I will have to find out eventually, then Kevin walk in the apartment and look at me.

"Hey." He simply said still look sleepy.

"Hey kid." I replied.

He goes in the kitchen and grab a bowl by stepping on a chair. Since he is too short to reach up there.

"Want me to help you?" I ask and stand up.

"No, thanks." He said.

And I let him do his breakfast.

That kid was used to be like this. So I rather let him be..

I sit around the dinner table and he sit next to me.

Then he put the cereal in the bowl and ask.

"You want to watch TV after I eat?"

"What we are going to watch?" I ask.

"Just some cartoons." He reply and after he finish we go watch some.

Time goes on like this, I never laughed so hard from a silly cartoon.

Me and the kid get along until Alice came out of her bed to see us laughing.

"Did we wake you up?" I asks.

"No, its alright.. I like your laugh." She said to me.

After this moment, Alice and I went for a walk with Kevin.

Everything was calm that day and I felt strange.. In a good way.

We arrive to a forest and explore it.

The trees were all in different colors, red, orange and yellow.

The leaves falling by the wind and october was close to end.

Alice grab my hand as we walk peacefully and when Kevin noticed he grabbed my hand too.

We become something that I cannot describe in many words yet..

But it sure felt like a family to me.

When we arrived back to their home, I tell Alice that it was time.

Kevin look up at me and said.

"But why?"

"I have work to do, Kevin." I reply.

Alice look at me and smile.

"He will come back." She said happily.

"Promise!" exclaim Kevin.

"I promise." I said looking at Kevin and smiling.

Then, after a short good bye.

We split..

I open the radio while I drive home.

*Krriiish*

"We are currently warning you that a prisoner have escaped from the prison.. Today. His name

is Adrian Murdock. 37 years old. Lond brown hair, long brown beard and blue eyes. 6'2 tall.

His criminal record tell us he killed many people. Please do not go outside after 8 PM.

He might be armed, and do not approach him at all cost. Please call the police if you have sight

of this man. I repeat, do not engage in any interaction with this man.

Be extremely safe in your home and stay vigilant.

This message will pass in consecutive time.."

*Kriiissh*

Night of October 25..

Me and the chief talk inside the Wolf's Den.

We both drink a coffee this time, and try to figure where Adrian Murdock could be.

"The prison was well securitised.. But he found a way to get out by killing one of the guards.

Then he cut the thumb of this poor man and use it to escape.. It happened at 3 A.M when

all the guards were tired. He prepared is plan before hand, by avoiding sleep schedul,

and sleeping only at the day. Since he was isolated.. Then he faked a sickness by

ingesting something rotten." Explain the chief.

"Now, where we are going to search him?" I ask.

"Well the forest around the prison was searched, nothing was found.. He vanished in the night." Said the chief.

"Must have used some car or something.." I suggest.

"I though too." Says the chief.

"Or he changed his clothes.. Cut his hair, beard and went like that..?" I tell him.

"Oh.. That might be the case." Said the chief.

"Then, this is going in a dead end.." I said.

"No, don't say that.."

We talk a bit more about what Adrian Murdock might be doing.

Where this psychopath will go.. Where will he kill, and what can be avoided..

But.. I doubt we are ready to know how this man will proceed.

"He could be anywhere right now.." I tell the chief.

"This is what scares me the most. To know we are powerless about that." He said in a sad tone.

"Waiting.. That's the worse part of this job. You know that chief. We are there, knowing that this

man will probably kill someone and that cannot be stopped.."

I finish my sentence and drink my cup of coffee.

On the television, the news reporter explain the details about the escape of Adrian Murdock.

We watch without saying much now.

Then the chief goes in the bathroom and I stay there contemplating the options of this new case.

What will happen right at this moment, will he murder someone? Or will he lay low?

And before I could go further in the questions..

"We announce the missing of the officer Weasley Briggs. Age 36, brown hair, no beard and green eyes..

5'11 tall.."

When I heard that, it was clear it wasn't coincidental..

Adrian might have run away by killing Weasley, that was the best bet.. I figure he ditch the body in the lake near

the prison and walk through the city in plain sight.

The chief come back afterward and I tell him this.

"Well, it's not strange at all. Like you said, he might be hiding in the city."

"Chief, I am sure he will do this everytime.. That killer is smart." I replied.

"Yeah, the idea that this man can be a chameleon is quite a problem." He said.

Just like that, we named the case The Chameleon. It was frightning to think this is going to

be my new mission..

October 31.

It's halloween.

Kids gather in the street, wearing costumes and knocks at the door for treats.

And I am here waiting in my car, as I lit a cigarret and read the report of Adrian Murdock.

He was gone in the nature, but for how long?

Maybe he will appear somewhere.

Maybe he won't..

What do I know is that he killed many people for no particular reasons beside for sadistic pleasure.

He target adults.. At least kids are safe out here.

But I know the fact that this man can and will be killing someone at some point.

The real question is when.

November 1st.

6 AM. Foggy outside with a weak rain that seem to never end.

Nothing happened in halloween.

At least that's what I though when I fell asleep in my car.

The amount of effort I put to manage my life to go back to a normal pace, is taking a toll on me.

I used to be a good detective. Before my wife died, before that damn cancer took her away.

Only me is left in this world..

Watching it turn into something I doubt it will be good for the future generations.

Or maybe I am wrong.. I hope I am.

I have found some people who still care about me, who can keep going even in hard times.

My days of being young might be over, and I might be a shadow of what I used to be..

But.. I feel I have still something left in me.

Something that want justice.

A part that didn't die even when Death took away Maria in its passing.

I feel my chances to make a change in this world can be possible.

Still, it will be hard to that part.

It always as been.

"Report of a dead body found in the slums. Is there any detective available?" Says the voice on the radio.

I pick the mic and speak. "John W. Colts here, I am coming."

I start the engine after that, and drive to the slums of the city.

I arrive at the slums, police cars are all around, yellow tape that prevent anyone to come and stump on any

evidence. A reporter with her camera man is there, Amy Reed... That girl who talked to me awhile ago.

"Here we are at the place where a dead body as been found in the garbages.." Say Amy.

I pass next to her and she stop to look at me.

"Oh, sir!" Amy try to get my attention, I look at her direction as she smile and the camera man film us now.

"Yes, what is it?" I said all calm.

"Can you explain to me the details of this case?" She ask all happy to have me here.

"Hum, I am not allowed to explain that.. And I just arrived." I reply to her and she seem to be displeased by that answer.

"Alright, thank you." She says and sign to the camera man to cut it.

I smile and left her there, I hear her sighs in the distance.

As the cops let me get in the crime scene, the block the way again.

I walk to where the dead body is.

It's a woman, around her 20s. The coroner and the coordinator give me their words and the state of the corpse.

"Good to see you John, the girl is Alissa Mercy. 21 years old, She work in the local coffee shop near the street.

She was found by a homeless who was scavenging in the trashs. She died by strangulation..

No signs of rape before or after the death."

I look at the girl, she was so young to die.. She reminds me of Alice somehow..

"Found any weapons, trace of self-defence, eye witness or even cameras?" I ask to the coordinator named Paul.

Paul reply. "No, it happened when no one looked around it seems.."

I nod and check the body, the marks on her neck are very deep.. Made by a cord to strangle.. Someone was

an expert at this. I check her hands, the flesh in the nails was from her own skin.. Since she tried to remove

the cord that was stranguling her.. He must have been in her back when he attacked.

With further investigation, I look in her purse that was found in the other garbage ban.

Make-up, pepper spray, her expired car lisence, a card of a agency named The Sultry Gaze and some condoms.

"Mmmh.. She was also a part-time escort?" I look at Paul.

"In the slums.. I won't be surprised John." He replied.

"I will go check for this agency later." I said and pick the card.

Paul look at me and wonder what to ask next.

"Isn't that John?" I heard in my back, a familliar yet sinister voice that I can recognize anywhere.

I turn my back and look at none other than William Berkley.

"You are after this case?" I ask him.

"You need a partner, remember?" He replied defiantly.

"I work on my own. You know that well." I said loud and clear.

"Fuck your crap of Working on your own! Philip asked me to come here." Says William.

Paul look at us and said. "Listen you two, go out of the scene and finish this elsewhere."

Me and William nod then we go toward my car. Amy Reed near by talking in front of the camera.

"Where you went these pass 2 weeks William?" I ask him curious.

"You really want to stick your finger in my ass to know what kind of shit it might smell, huh?"

I look at him perplexed.

Amy Reed notice me in the distance and walk next to us.

"So, mister John W. Colts!" Says Amy.

"Yes, Amy Reed." I reply to her as the camera roll on me and William.

William look menacing then change to a fake smile as he saw the camera..

"Can you tell us what the latest report as to give?" She says handing me her microphone.

I took a second then pick it up. "Sure, the dead body found was a woman named Alissa Mercy.

The rest will be kept secret upon further investigation.. Thank you."

Amy smile at me and pick her microphone back.

"Thank you, mister John." She says and go talk to the camera.

William look at me and seem a bit frustrated to not have his time to shine.

We enter in the car, the rain start to pour faster and heavier as we left the place.

As I drive through the city and left the slums with William, he look at me and ask.

"Why you didn't quit as I told you?"

I look shortly at him as I drive and think for a moment.

"We really going to talk about this again?"

"You know how much I hate working with you John." Reply back William.

"Nope, I didn't figured that out.." I calmly use sarcasm.

We drive to reach the next part of Big City. The luxury part, the richs who live there have plenty of money

and lack to care for others. I drive around, and we both look everywhere then..

In the far corner of the district, we both find the agency.

The Sultry Gaze.

I park the car in the parking lot and we walk there.

On the time we go in the large building, William can't keep it silent again.

"How the fuck we going to figure the murder case. What's the point to come here anyway?"

I roll my eyes and tell him.

"The victim have some connections with this Agency, one way or the other.."

William sigh and we enter the agency.

The receptionist look at us and says "Welcome how may I help... You?"

Me and William look at her.. and I take a step forward to explain our presence.

"We are coming to ask questions, we have found the body of Alissa Mercy and-"

"Not Alissa Mercy.." Says the receptionist all in shock.

William look at her and said "You know that girl?"

"My.. Sister.." She says and fall on the ground.

As we help her out to come back to her senses and go sit somewhere in the waiting room filled with couchs.

She open her eyes and we start talking about everything.

Her life with the agency, the secret job and the double life she and her sister had in the industry of sex.

She also told us her name, Sally Mercy.

But before we can go further in the questioning, 3 agents come in and ask us to leave.

William step up and tell them to not interfere as he show off his badge.

But they toss him away, and pick the receptionist almost by force.

I try to ask what is going on.

A woman with red hair and round glasses come in.

"Excuse me to interrupt your job, but mine is to keep us out of the problem." Says that woman.

"May I ask your name?" I tell her.

"Julia. Julia Walter." She says and move her glasses with manners.

I stand up and tell her my name. "John W. Colts."

I show my hand for a handshake, but she just glance at it and say.

"You may leave now, or I shall use other way to kick you out.."

Me and William shortly walk off this place.

"Damn, almost got the stuff we needed.." Says William.

I look at him and say "Want to go eat?"

"Sure, Wolf's Den?" he ask.

"Wolf's Den." I said and we go to the bar.

11 AM at Wolf's Den.

Me and William are sure a strange duo. We hate each other, but at the same time.. We can be civilized..

It's like taking a cup of tea before going back to the routine.

We both keep our secrets though.

"So, beside that case of Adrian Murdock. What else you got to do in your free time John?"

I look at William and take note of that remark in my head before asking. "What you to eat, I will pay."

"Fuck you, I can pay my food myself." He says and order a burger with fries and a beer.

"Yeah, I would like some wings and some whiskey." I order to the waitress.

She notes everything and walk away.

"You have a lead on this case at least?" Ask William.

"I have few." I answer.

"Are you serious? John.. Come on. I am not believing that crap." Says the guy, all sitting like a mess on the chair

and too much relaxed.

I nod, but don't say a word.

My hands pick my notebook and flip the pages of all the evidences I collected from all the cases of Adrian Murdock.

His way of proceeding, his type of target, his inner motive and the mental issues..

The serial killer had some connections with the politics too.

Reasons why he got in prison rather than going directly on the electric chair.

The food arrive shortly after, I pick one wing and bite it. William look at my food and compare his while

I savor the food..

Then, he pick one wing in my plate with no shame and bite in it.

"Mmmh, spicy." Says the thief.

"You're welcome?" I say a tad bit frustrated.

And he eat all his burger and his fries after that. Not even thinking about sharing some.

"So, you know what interest me the most about this guy?" Say William.

"No.."

"He kill people with extra effort.. Never went too far, just enough to be efficient."

"I see.." I said all serious.

"But, he got tired of doing that one day. So he just went to the police station one day and told everything."

I nod while I keep reading the notebook.

"It's like he was "I am so tired to never have been caught" And all that. I even wonder if he escaped just for the thrill of it."

When I though of what William was saying. That seem right, Adrian was indeed like this. The mental report shows

signs of agoraphilia. The thrill to be caught in something.. Like if he had some power over that.

Also Adrian have a split personality. One that he refer as a demon called Abael.. And the other was him who

often act as some form of innocence.

The thing was, both personality were coexisting within his mind. Forming some kind of sick twisted scheme.

The psychiatrist who worked on his case commit suicide 4 months after his final report.

Whatever Adrian Murdock was about, it wasn't so good to meet him in person..